Apparatus for feeding flexible sacks and bags into an enclosure



Oct. 14, 1969 K. J. KINGHAM Y 3,471,996

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FLEXIBLE SACKS AND BAGS INTO AN ENCLOSURE Filed Dec. 8, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Mia @7244- Attorneys Oct. 14, 1969 K. J. KINGHAM 3,471,996

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FLEXIBLE SACKS AND BAGS INTO AN ENCLOSURE Filed Dec. 8, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Attorneys United US. Cl. 53-390 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for simultaneously feeding and filling an empty flexible sack into an open-topped enclosure are described. The empty flexible sack is supported by a movable clamping means which can be moved to a position directly above .an enclosure which is of such a size and shape as to intimately contact the walls of the sack once it is filled. When the movable clamping means is moved directly above the enclosure, a lower portion of the sack hangs outside of the enclosure and is fed into the enclosure when the sack is filled with whatever contents are desired. The filling of the sack causes the body of the sack to slide over a top edge of the enclosure and down into intimate contact with the enclosure.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for feeding empty flexible sacks or bags into an enclosure, for example into outer containers, or into the space between a plurality of vertical constraints (such as vertical settling boards, guide boards or vibrating plates or automatic packaging equipment) in circumstances where it is either impossible or inconvenient to introduce the empty, flexible sacks or bags into the space between the constraints from an open end or side of the machinery. The invention relates in particular, to apparatus for feeding empty flexible sacks or bags into an outer container, for example an outer jute sack or bag, so as to produce a double package.

According to the invention, a method of feeding an empty flexible sack or bag into an enclosure comprises the steps of securing the open end of the sack or bag to a clamp or the like situated substantially directly above the enclosure, with the body of the sack or bag hanging outside the enclosure, supporting the body of the sack or bag at or near the top of the enclosure, and at least partially filling the sack or bag with the desired contents, whereby the weight of the contents causes the body of the sack or bag to slide over the top and into the enclosure.

The invention also provides apparatus for feeding empty flexible sacks or bags into an enclosure, comprising means situated substantially directly above the enclosure for clamping the open end of the sack or bag, with the body of the sack or bag hanging outside the enclosure, and means for filling the bag with the desired contents, one or more walls of the enclosure being formed or provided, at or near the top, with supporting and guiding means enabling the sack or bag to slide over the top and into the enclosure as filling proceeds. Preferably said clamping means is movable from a first position substantially directly above the enclosure to a second position above and outside the enclosure, said clamping means being adapted to be moved to said second position for clamping the open end of the sack or bag and being adapted to be returned thereafter to said first position. Said supporting and guiding means may comprise an outwardlly, preferably downwardly, extending lip formed or provided at or near the top of one wall of the enclosure.

Patented Oct. 14, 1969 In carrying out the invention the clamp is moved to its position above and outside the enclosure and the open end of a sack is attached thereto; the clamp, with the mouth of the sack attached thereto, is then moved to its alternative position substantially directly above the enclosure, so that the body of the sack rests on the guiding lip outside the enclosure. A charge of material is then released into the sack through a filling spout, and the weight of the material gradually drags the body-of the sack over the guiding lip and into the enclosure where filling of the sack is completed.

The invention finds particular application in the lining of jute sacks with polythene liners during the filling operation.

It is common practice in many industries, and particularly the fertilizer industry, to use double packages as they are known. The most commonly used of these, in the fertilizer industry, consists of an outer sewn jute sack, which provides the strength, and an inner light guage heat sealed polythene liner, which provides a moisture barrier. Multi-wall paper sacks with a similar liner are another common double package.

All known methods of producing a double work on the principle of inserting the liner into the outer sack prior to filling in order to form an empty composite container. This is then filled by conventional weighing and filling equipment, the composite sack being manually applied to a sack clamping device.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention therefore provides apparatus comprising first means for clamping the open end of a first or outer sack (for example a jute sack), second means for clamping the open end of a second or inner sack (for example a polythene liner sack), said second means being movable from a first position substantially directly above said first clamping means to a second position above and to the side thereof, said first clamping means being formed or provided with an outwardly, preferably downwardly, extending guiding lip enabling said second sack to slide over the top of said first clamping means into the first sack when said second means is moved from its second to its first position. A filling spout may be incorporated and movable with the second clamp, or a fixed filling spout may be provided substantially directly above said first clamping means.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein FIG 1 illustrates the apparatus before filling of a double package is begun, FIG. 2 shows the inner sack of the double package just starting to fill, FIG. 3 shows the inner sack partially full, and FIG. 4 shows the double package completely full.

A jute sack 1 is secured by its open end to a combined clamp and filling spout 2, hereinafter referred to as the jute-clamp. Situated above the jute-clamp 2 is a second combined clamp and filling spout 3, hereinafter referred to as the liner-clamp, which is pivotable from a position directly above the jute-clamp 2 (see FIG. 2) to a position above and to the side of it (see FIG. 1). In the latter position (FIG. 1), a polythene liner sack 4 is attached by its open end, in such a way as to allow air to escape, to the liner-clamp 3 which is then pivoted back to its centre-line position (FIG. 2).

The top of the jute-clamp 2, on that side to which the liner-clamp pivots, is formed or provided with an outwardly, preferably downwardly, extending plate or lip 5 which acts as a support and guide for the polythene liner sack 4 and enables it, when so required, to slide smoothly over the top of the jute clamp 2 into the jute sack 1.

In operation, the liner clamp 3 is pivoted to its outermost position (FIG. 1), and both the polythene liner sack 4 and the jute sack 1 are then applied to their respective clamps 3 and 2. The liner-clamp 3 is then pivoted inwarly (FIG. 2), sliding the polythene liner sack 4 onto and partially over the plate or lip 5. As soon as the liner-clamp 3 is positioned directly above the juteclamp 2, a pre-Weighed charge of material is released through the filling spout into the open mouth of the polythene liner sack 4, and the weight thereof drags the body of the sack 4 over the top of the jute-clamp 2 and into the open jute sack 1 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4). Preferably this pre-weighed material is discharged in two stages, the weight of the first stage being only sufficient to drag the liner into the jute sack without damaging it; the second stage of discharge takes place after the liner is correctly positioned inside the jute sack (FIG. 4). Correct relationship of the two combined clamps and filling spouts 2, 3, to one another, ensures that the full weight of the material is not taken by the thin polythene liner 4.

Both clamps are then released (the clamp 3 for the polythene liner 4 first), and the filled double package is allowed to fall sufficiently far to allow the polythene liner 4 to clear the jute-clamp 2.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for feeding into a first sack and simultaneously filling an empty flexible second sack into said first sack, comprising first means for clamping the open end of a first sack, second means for clamping the open end of a second sack, said second means being movable from a first position substantially directly above said first clamping means to a second position above and to the side thereof, filling means for filling the second sack with desired matter, and said first clamping means being provided with an outwardly extending guide enabling said second sack to slide over the top of said first clamping means into the first sack when said second means is moved from its second to its first position and when said second sack is filled from said filling means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a filling spout is provided substantially directly above said first clamping means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a filling spout is incorporated with and movable with said second clamping means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,381,419 6/1921 Hyams et al. 53l75 3,209,515 10/1965 Harpenau 5335 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner R. L. SPRUILL, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 53175 

